-The Washington Post, December 12, 2007
* 1 pound (4 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
* • 3 cups packed light brown sugar
* • 1/3 cup sugar
* • 4 large eggs
* • 4 teaspoons vanilla extract
* • 1 cup quick-cooking oats (not instant)
* • 4 cups flour
* • 1 teaspoon baking powder
* • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* • 1/2 teaspoon salt
* • 1 cup semisweet chocolate morsels or chopped chocolate
* • 1 13.4-ounce can dulce de leche
Directions:
Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven; preheat to 350 degrees. Generously grease a 13-by-9-inch pan and place it on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
Beat the butter and sugars together in a large mixing bowl for several minutes, until creamy. Add the eggs, vanilla extract and oats, mixing to combine. Gradually fold in the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, then add the chocolate morsels and mix to distribute evenly. Spread the batter in the prepared pan. Top with dollops of dulce de leche and use a knife to swirl or smear it into the batter. Bake for 38 minutes, or until the batter is set. (If it seems browned around the edges but wobbly in the center, reduce the temperature to 325 degrees and continue to bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until set.
Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool for about 20 minutes. Cover and refrigerate or freeze for at least 1 hour, then cut into squares as desired.
12 December 2007
Apricot-Pistachio Bars
-The Washington Post, December 12, 2007
* 16 tablespoons (2 sticks) plus 1 teaspoon unsalted butter, at room temperature
* • 1/2 cup sugar
* • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
* • 4 large eggs
* • 1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest
* • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
* • 1 teaspoon apricot brandy (optional)
* • 1 1/4 cups flour
* • 1 teaspoon baking powder
* • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* • 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
* • 1/4 teaspoon ground mace
* • 2 cups coarsely chopped dried apricots
* • 1/2 cup dried currants
* • 1/2 cup coarsely chopped unsalted, lightly toasted pistachios
For the icing
* • 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
* • 2 to 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 10-by-15-inch baking pan with 1 teaspoon of the butter.
For the dough: Combine the remaining 2 sticks of butter and the sugars in the large bowl of a stand mixer or a hand-held electric mixer; beat on medium speed for several minutes, until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add the orange zest, vanilla extract and apricot brandy, if using; beat to mix well.
Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cardamom, mace, apricots, currants and pistachios in a medium bowl, stirring to mix well. Use a spatula to stir the flour-spices mixture into the butter-sugar mixture and blend well. Spread the batter evenly in the pan and bake for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool for about 15 minutes.
For the icing: Combine the confectioners' sugar and orange juice in a large bowl and whisk to a medium-firm consistency. Spread over the still-warm, uncut bars in the pan and let stand until the icing sets. Cut into 1 1/2-inch squares.
* 16 tablespoons (2 sticks) plus 1 teaspoon unsalted butter, at room temperature
* • 1/2 cup sugar
* • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
* • 4 large eggs
* • 1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest
* • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
* • 1 teaspoon apricot brandy (optional)
* • 1 1/4 cups flour
* • 1 teaspoon baking powder
* • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* • 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
* • 1/4 teaspoon ground mace
* • 2 cups coarsely chopped dried apricots
* • 1/2 cup dried currants
* • 1/2 cup coarsely chopped unsalted, lightly toasted pistachios
For the icing
* • 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
* • 2 to 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 10-by-15-inch baking pan with 1 teaspoon of the butter.
For the dough: Combine the remaining 2 sticks of butter and the sugars in the large bowl of a stand mixer or a hand-held electric mixer; beat on medium speed for several minutes, until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add the orange zest, vanilla extract and apricot brandy, if using; beat to mix well.
Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cardamom, mace, apricots, currants and pistachios in a medium bowl, stirring to mix well. Use a spatula to stir the flour-spices mixture into the butter-sugar mixture and blend well. Spread the batter evenly in the pan and bake for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool for about 15 minutes.
For the icing: Combine the confectioners' sugar and orange juice in a large bowl and whisk to a medium-firm consistency. Spread over the still-warm, uncut bars in the pan and let stand until the icing sets. Cut into 1 1/2-inch squares.
23 September 2007
Fresh Pineapple Upside Down Cake
-Gourmet, 2000
ingredients
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 fresh pineapple, halved lengthwise, cored, and peeled
1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2/3 cup well-shaken buttermilk
preparation
Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F.
Sift together flour, baking powder and soda, and salt into a bowl. Cut pineapple crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick wedges.
Butter a 9-inch round cake pan (2 inches deep) lightly on side and generously on bottom of pan using 1/2 stick butter. Sprinkle all of brown sugar evenly over bottom and arrange pineapple over it, starting in center of pan and overlapping slices slightly.
Beat together remaining stick butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, then add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture alternately with buttermilk in batches, beginning and ending with flour and mixing just until batter is smooth.
Spread batter evenly over pineapple and bake until a wooden pick inserted in center of cake comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Cool 15 minutes in pan on a rack, then invert cake onto a plate and remove pan. Cool to room temperature.
ingredients
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 fresh pineapple, halved lengthwise, cored, and peeled
1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2/3 cup well-shaken buttermilk
preparation
Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F.
Sift together flour, baking powder and soda, and salt into a bowl. Cut pineapple crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick wedges.
Butter a 9-inch round cake pan (2 inches deep) lightly on side and generously on bottom of pan using 1/2 stick butter. Sprinkle all of brown sugar evenly over bottom and arrange pineapple over it, starting in center of pan and overlapping slices slightly.
Beat together remaining stick butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, then add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture alternately with buttermilk in batches, beginning and ending with flour and mixing just until batter is smooth.
Spread batter evenly over pineapple and bake until a wooden pick inserted in center of cake comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Cool 15 minutes in pan on a rack, then invert cake onto a plate and remove pan. Cool to room temperature.
21 September 2007
Sweet Potato-Date Cookies
improvised today!
1 large sweet potato
1 stick salted butter
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 egg
1 1/4 cups ww flour
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3 tablespoons candied ginger, chopped
1/3 cup dried pitted dates, chopped
1 teaspoon lemon zest
juice of 1/2 lemon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 tsp ground cardamom
Nuke the sweet potato for 4 minutes on high. Cool and mash with butter, sugar, syrup and egg. Mix in remaining ingredients. Flatten golf-ball size mounds on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes. These don't spread and they rise very little.
Notes: To make it more like a traditional cookie, use a small sweet potato and add another 1/2 stick of butter and a little more flour and increase the baking soda to 1/2 teaspoon.
Other stuff that would be nice in this cookie: pecans, walnuts, flaxseed, dried apple, chopped tart apples, other sweet warm spices (e.g cinnamon, cloves)
1 large sweet potato
1 stick salted butter
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 egg
1 1/4 cups ww flour
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3 tablespoons candied ginger, chopped
1/3 cup dried pitted dates, chopped
1 teaspoon lemon zest
juice of 1/2 lemon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 tsp ground cardamom
Nuke the sweet potato for 4 minutes on high. Cool and mash with butter, sugar, syrup and egg. Mix in remaining ingredients. Flatten golf-ball size mounds on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes. These don't spread and they rise very little.
Notes: To make it more like a traditional cookie, use a small sweet potato and add another 1/2 stick of butter and a little more flour and increase the baking soda to 1/2 teaspoon.
Other stuff that would be nice in this cookie: pecans, walnuts, flaxseed, dried apple, chopped tart apples, other sweet warm spices (e.g cinnamon, cloves)
19 September 2007
brown sugar and chocolate chip pound cake with maple-espresso glaze
-Julie Hesson, Bon Appetit
ingredients
Cake:
Nonstick vegetable oil spray
1 12-ounce package semisweet chocolate chips
3 cups all purpose flour, divided
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups (packed) golden brown sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon maple extract
4 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk
Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons (or more) whipping cream
1 1/2 teaspoons instant espresso powder
preparation
For cake:
Preheat oven to 325°F. Butter 12-cup Bundt pan. Spray pan generously with nonstick spray. Dust pan lightly with flour. Mix chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons flour in medium bowl. Sift remaining flour with baking soda, baking powder, and salt into another medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter and brown sugar in large bowl until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in vanilla extract and maple extract. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in flour mixture in 3 additions alternately with buttermilk in 2 additions, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Fold in chocolate chip mixture. Transfer batter to prepared pan, spreading evenly.
Bake cake until tester inserted near center comes out clean and cake begins to pull away from sides of pan, about 1 hour. Cool cake in pan on rack 30 minutes. Invert cake onto rack and cool completely.
GOOD TO KNOW:
Mixing the chocolate chips with a little flour before adding them to the batter helps the chips stay evenly suspended in the batter and evenly distributed throughout the baked cake (otherwise, they may sink to the bottom).
For glaze:
Combine powdered sugar, maple syrup, 2 tablespoons cream, and espresso powder in medium bowl. Whisk until smooth, adding more cream by 1/2 teaspoonfuls if glaze is too thick to drizzle. Spoon glaze decoratively over top of cake; let stand at room temperature until glaze is firm, about 1 hour. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover with cake dome and let stand at room temperature.
ingredients
Cake:
Nonstick vegetable oil spray
1 12-ounce package semisweet chocolate chips
3 cups all purpose flour, divided
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups (packed) golden brown sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon maple extract
4 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk
Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons (or more) whipping cream
1 1/2 teaspoons instant espresso powder
preparation
For cake:
Preheat oven to 325°F. Butter 12-cup Bundt pan. Spray pan generously with nonstick spray. Dust pan lightly with flour. Mix chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons flour in medium bowl. Sift remaining flour with baking soda, baking powder, and salt into another medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter and brown sugar in large bowl until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in vanilla extract and maple extract. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in flour mixture in 3 additions alternately with buttermilk in 2 additions, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Fold in chocolate chip mixture. Transfer batter to prepared pan, spreading evenly.
Bake cake until tester inserted near center comes out clean and cake begins to pull away from sides of pan, about 1 hour. Cool cake in pan on rack 30 minutes. Invert cake onto rack and cool completely.
GOOD TO KNOW:
Mixing the chocolate chips with a little flour before adding them to the batter helps the chips stay evenly suspended in the batter and evenly distributed throughout the baked cake (otherwise, they may sink to the bottom).
For glaze:
Combine powdered sugar, maple syrup, 2 tablespoons cream, and espresso powder in medium bowl. Whisk until smooth, adding more cream by 1/2 teaspoonfuls if glaze is too thick to drizzle. Spoon glaze decoratively over top of cake; let stand at room temperature until glaze is firm, about 1 hour. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover with cake dome and let stand at room temperature.
05 September 2007
coconut rum cake
Gourmet | September 2007
-Maggie Ruggiero
ingredients
For cake:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs plus 3 large yolks
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, melted and cooled
3/4 cup well-stirred sweetened cream of coconut such as Coco López
For coconut slivers:
1 medium coconut
2 teaspoons confectioners sugar
For icing:
3 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons well-stirred sweetened cream of coconut
1 tablespoon dark rum
3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 to 3 tablespoons heavy cream
1/2 cup confectioners sugar
Equipment: a 9-inch round cake pan (2 inches deep); an adjustable-blade slicer
preparation
Make cake:
Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle. Lightly butter cake pan and line bottom with a round of parchment paper. Lightly butter parchment, then flour pan.
Whisk together flour (1 1/4 cups), baking powder, and salt.
Whisk together whole eggs and yolks, sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl. Gradually whisk in flour mixture until combined, then whisk in butter until just combined. Pour into cake pan and rap pan on counter to expel air bubbles.
Bake until golden brown and cake starts to pull away from side of pan, about 45 minutes. Cool in pan on a rack 10 minutes. (Leave oven on.) Invert cake onto rack (discard parchment) and cool 10 minutes more. Generously brush top and side of warm cake with cream of coconut, allowing it to soak in before brushing on more. Cool completely.
Make coconut slivers as cake cools:
Pierce softest eye of coconut with a small screwdriver, then drain and discard liquid. Bake coconut in a shallow baking pan 15 minutes. (Leave oven on.) Break shell with a hammer, then pry flesh from shell with screwdriver.
Thinly shave enough coconut with slicer to measure 2 cups and toss with confectioners sugar, then spread in 1 layer on a baking sheet. Bake until just dry but not golden (some tips may color), 5 to 10 minutes. (Shave and bake remaining coconut with more confectioners sugar to serve on the side, or freeze for another use.) Cool coconut completely. (It will crisp as it cools.)
Make icing:
Beat together cream cheese, cream of coconut, rum, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons cream with an electric mixer until smooth, then beat in confectioners sugar. Icing should be smooth and slightly runny; stir in remaining tablespoon cream if necessary.
Smooth icing over top of cooled cake, allowing some to drip over side, then top with coconut slivers.
Cooks' notes:
Cake can be baked 1 day ahead and soaked with cream of coconut, then kept in an airtight container at room temperature.
Cake can be iced 2 hours ahead.
Coconut slivers can be made 1 day ahead and kept in an airtight container at room temperature.
-Maggie Ruggiero
ingredients
For cake:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs plus 3 large yolks
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, melted and cooled
3/4 cup well-stirred sweetened cream of coconut such as Coco López
For coconut slivers:
1 medium coconut
2 teaspoons confectioners sugar
For icing:
3 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons well-stirred sweetened cream of coconut
1 tablespoon dark rum
3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 to 3 tablespoons heavy cream
1/2 cup confectioners sugar
Equipment: a 9-inch round cake pan (2 inches deep); an adjustable-blade slicer
preparation
Make cake:
Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle. Lightly butter cake pan and line bottom with a round of parchment paper. Lightly butter parchment, then flour pan.
Whisk together flour (1 1/4 cups), baking powder, and salt.
Whisk together whole eggs and yolks, sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl. Gradually whisk in flour mixture until combined, then whisk in butter until just combined. Pour into cake pan and rap pan on counter to expel air bubbles.
Bake until golden brown and cake starts to pull away from side of pan, about 45 minutes. Cool in pan on a rack 10 minutes. (Leave oven on.) Invert cake onto rack (discard parchment) and cool 10 minutes more. Generously brush top and side of warm cake with cream of coconut, allowing it to soak in before brushing on more. Cool completely.
Make coconut slivers as cake cools:
Pierce softest eye of coconut with a small screwdriver, then drain and discard liquid. Bake coconut in a shallow baking pan 15 minutes. (Leave oven on.) Break shell with a hammer, then pry flesh from shell with screwdriver.
Thinly shave enough coconut with slicer to measure 2 cups and toss with confectioners sugar, then spread in 1 layer on a baking sheet. Bake until just dry but not golden (some tips may color), 5 to 10 minutes. (Shave and bake remaining coconut with more confectioners sugar to serve on the side, or freeze for another use.) Cool coconut completely. (It will crisp as it cools.)
Make icing:
Beat together cream cheese, cream of coconut, rum, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons cream with an electric mixer until smooth, then beat in confectioners sugar. Icing should be smooth and slightly runny; stir in remaining tablespoon cream if necessary.
Smooth icing over top of cooled cake, allowing some to drip over side, then top with coconut slivers.
Cooks' notes:
Cake can be baked 1 day ahead and soaked with cream of coconut, then kept in an airtight container at room temperature.
Cake can be iced 2 hours ahead.
Coconut slivers can be made 1 day ahead and kept in an airtight container at room temperature.
mustard-crusted tofu with kale and sweet potato
Bon Appétit | September 2007 Makes 4 servings
Anita Sharp
ingredients
1 14-ounce package firm tofu
1/2 cup whole grain Dijon mustard
4 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1/2 medium onion, sliced
1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger
1 bunch kale, stem cut from each leaf, leaves thinly sliced crosswise (about 8 cups)
1 small red-skinned sweet potato (yam; about 8 ounces), peeled, halved lengthwise, thinly sliced crosswise
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
preparation
Cut tofu into eight 1/2-inch-thick slices. Arrange on paper towels; drain 10 minutes. Spread both sides of each slice with mustard.
Heat 2 tablespoons oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and ginger; sauté 1 minute. Add kale, sweet potato, and lime juice. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook until potato is tender and kale is wilted, about 12 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in another large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add tofu; cover and cook until heated through and crisp, about 2 minutes per side (some mustard seeds may fall off tofu).
Arrange kale and sweet potato mixture on plate. Overlap tofu slices atop vegetables and serve.
Anita Sharp
ingredients
1 14-ounce package firm tofu
1/2 cup whole grain Dijon mustard
4 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1/2 medium onion, sliced
1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger
1 bunch kale, stem cut from each leaf, leaves thinly sliced crosswise (about 8 cups)
1 small red-skinned sweet potato (yam; about 8 ounces), peeled, halved lengthwise, thinly sliced crosswise
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
preparation
Cut tofu into eight 1/2-inch-thick slices. Arrange on paper towels; drain 10 minutes. Spread both sides of each slice with mustard.
Heat 2 tablespoons oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and ginger; sauté 1 minute. Add kale, sweet potato, and lime juice. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook until potato is tender and kale is wilted, about 12 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in another large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add tofu; cover and cook until heated through and crisp, about 2 minutes per side (some mustard seeds may fall off tofu).
Arrange kale and sweet potato mixture on plate. Overlap tofu slices atop vegetables and serve.
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